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July Agenda

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We will be determining the historical significance of properties whose applications for demolition were submitted last month – including properties in Hillside and Haines Square. Zoom details in the agenda.

July Agenda Download

109 Forest Street Application Materials:

109 Forest Street as seen looking toward the northeast in 2019 prior to the construction of the new houses in the rear and right yards.

The Medford Historical Commission has received an application for a partial demolition of the building located at 109 Forest Street on the corner of Webster Street. The Commission has previously reviewed this building which has since been sold. The proposal calls for the demolition of a porch and new construction on one side, therefore burying one facade. The building is subject to review under the demolition delay ordinance. A determination of significance has already been made for this property and as a result, it has moved directly to a public hearing to determine of demolition of the building will be detrimental to the City of Medford.

MHC Form B for 109 Forest StreetDownload

7 Vine Street Application Materials:

The Medford Historical Commission has received an application for the partial demolition of 7-9 Vine Street in East Medford. An 18th century building, the structure is one of a handful which maintains a true period gambrel roof. The building has been heavily altered and is slated to be altered beyond recognition which has prompted a demolition delay review for this property.

MHC Form B on 7-9 Vine StreetDownload

MHC Form A for Washington Square Area which includes information on 7-9 Vine among others

Click here for the neighborhood overview for East Medford from the Survey Plan.

33 Vine Street Application Materials:

Like the above property, 33 Vine is a building slated to be altered beyond recognition. The building is a nineteenth century parlor bypass structure. The form was developed in the Boston area and employed extensively in the refined homes of Medford.

MHC Form B for 33 Vine StreetDownload

30 Dearborn Street Application Materials:

This house is a great example of a classic American Bungalow. It represents a growing community in the early 20th century.

MHC Form B for 30 Dearborn StreetDownload

Preferably Preserved: 109 Forest St

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The home at 109 Forest St was determined to be preferably preserved at our August public meeting.

When a building is found to be “preferably preserved” an 18 month delay of demolition is imposed, to give the applicant time to consider sale, renovation, reuse, relocation and other alternatives to demolition. The 18 month delay, in this case, also allows time for the neighbors, and the Historic District Commission, to develop plans for a potential Forest St Historic District, which could protect the house, and its neighbors, from demolition.

The applicant is invited to return to the Commission’s upcoming public meetings to present plans and alternatives, and to discuss the preservation concerns that their neighbors and the commission have. If, in any case, a plan is developed that addresses the concerns of the public and the commission, a demolition delay may be lifted before the 18 month period.

Thanks to the Medford residents who filled Alden Council Chambers to share their thoughts and concerns. Thanks too to residents who contacted us in writing. Everyone we heard from strongly supported preserving the house.

For a review of public comments, and details on the decision, please see our forthcoming meeting minutes.

August Agenda

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Here is the August Agenda, for the Historical Commission’s meeting on Mon, Aug 12.  Please note the change of venue! We will still be meeting in City Hall at 7 PM, but in the spacious Alden Council Chambers since there is considerable interest in 109 Forest St. Our meeting will follow directly after the Historic DISTRICT Commission, where discussion of Forest St will also be on the agenda.

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Change of Venue!

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Because of considerable public interest in Medford’s Forest Street, our Monday, Aug 12th meeting will now be in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 7 PM. This meeting will determine whether or not the house at 109 Forest Street is preferably preserved and subject to a delay in demolition.

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The full Public Hearing Notice is as follows:

Notice of Public Hearing
Monday, August 12, 2019
On Intent to Demolish a Significant Building
As Determined by the Medford Historical Commission

Notice is hereby given to the Public that a Notice of Intent to Demolish a Building has been submitted to the Medford Historical Commission for the dwelling house located at 109 Forest Street. The Commission has determined that the building meets the criteria of a significant building as defined in Section 48-77 of the Medford City Ordinances. In accordance with Section 48-78, the Commission is holding a public hearing on Monday, August 12, 2019 at 7:00pm in the Howard F. Alden Memorial Auditorium at Medford City Hall to determine if the demolition of the building at 109 Forest Street would be detrimental to the historical, cultural, or architectural heritage or resources of the City of Medford. For information regarding this hearing, please visit http://www.medfordhistoricalcommission.org. Comments may be submitted prior to the meeting in writing to HistoricalCommission@Medford-MA.gov.

Historically Significant: 109 Forest St

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At the Historical Commission’s July public meeting, the house at 109 Forest St was found to be historically significant. At our August public meeting we will determine whether or not this building is also preferably preserved. That meeting will be Monday, August 12. Because there is considerable public interest in Forest St and its historic homes and buildings we would like to consider locations larger than the usual Room 201 at City Hall, so the time and location are yet to be decided.

If a building is found preferably preserved, an 18 month delay of demolition will take place, to give the demo applicant time to consider renovation, reuse, relocation and other alternatives to demolition. 

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Demo Application: 109 Forest St

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At our June public meeting, the Medford Historical Commission received an application to demolish the house at 109 Forest St, a brick home built between 1900-1910 on one of Medford’s main streets.

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Image via Kristy Avino, and the many lively Facebook discussion about the house.

The Form B for 109 Forest St PDF File is already on file with the Historical Commission and gives a detailed architectural description of the “exceptionally well-preserved” Colonial Revival home; the Historical Commission generally relies on information from the Form B to decide whether or not a building is “historically significant.” Information on neighboring Forest St houses is available through MACRIS, the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System.

At the same meeting, the Commission found the house at 17 Florence Ave, in the Heights, to be “not historically significant” and so a permit for demolition will be granted for that property. Minutes of the meeting will be posted when they are available.